Can you help my friend?

[87Octane]

Originally posted by BROKKANIC
Electrical gurus I am in need of some assitance. Here's the situation...
1985 Chevy S10, tailights don't work properly. Here's the kicker....

When the brake pedal is depressed the brake lights come on. However when the headlights or turn signals are switched on, the brake lights stop working. On top of that, when the turn signals are switched on the corresponding reverse light starts to flash. But only when the shifter is in reverse position. Other than that the reverse lights don't come on by themselves. Oh and if all the aforementioned is engaged, everything is dimmed if you turn the wipers on.

Me is thinking that teh shhort is in either the turn signal actuator, the shifter console or the headlight switch.

Any ideas Thanks in advance for any advice! I'll check back later. I gotta p/u the Mrs.

Thanks for any assistance!

 

[Hawaiian Turbo]

Just out of the blue this started happening,or is there more to the story??

 

[Tom Mahi]

Couple things to check...

First, it sounds like the ground is missing from the lamp sockets. This would affect the brake lights and turn signals as have been described. Use a test light or voltmeter to check between the parking lamp contact and the lamp socket with the parking lamps on.

Second, check for improper bulbs in the sockets. Dual element bulbs in dual element sockets and singles in singles.

Lastly, since its a truck, look for any trailer harness that may have been improperly wired.

Hope that helps,

Aloha,

 

[85zoom]

I think Tom is correct. Check ALL the bulbs. Especially the dual filament ones. When one section burns out, current can "steal" a path thru the other section's filament, depending how the bulb blew, and the bulb can still lite, along with the rest of the bulbs in that circuit. Even if it means going thru other bulbs down the line, current will try to find a path to ground. Actually, it can be rather colorful! I remember an old Honda at my job. When they had the parking lights on, the correct lights never lit. When they hit the brakes, the parking lights would go out and a combination of other bulbs would lite up. I changed a couple of dual filament bulbs that were blown and problem went away. No more light show.

 

[87Octane]

Re: Couple things to check...

Originally posted by Tom Mahi
First, it sounds like the ground is missing from the lamp sockets. This would affect the brake lights and turn signals as have been described. Use a test light or voltmeter to check between the parking lamp contact and the lamp socket with the parking lamps on.

Second, check for improper bulbs in the sockets. Dual element bulbs in dual element sockets and singles in singles.

Lastly, since its a truck, look for any trailer harness that may have been improperly wired.

Hope that helps,

Aloha,

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrusted upon them." - Twelfth Night

You kind sir have shed new light on this rather decisive conundrum! I thank you and Mr. 85Zoom! There just so happens to be a broken bulb! We shall look into that at once! LMAO I'm going to commit suicide if that's all that was wrong! Hour's and hours of looking for shorts in the wires...lol

 

[HI85WH1]

bad ground, almost positive of it. ground wire should bolt to the frame...
right near the bumper bracket.
HTH, robert

 

[Turtle TR]

Re: Re: Couple things to check...

Originally posted by 87Octane

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrusted upon them." - Twelfth Night

You kind sir have shed new light on this rather decisive conundrum! I thank you and Mr. 85Zoom! There just so happens to be a broken bulb! We shall look into that at once! LMAO I'm going to commit suicide if that's all that was wrong! Hour's and hours of looking for shorts in the wires...lol

Gareth's the man!! Too bad you left the track early. you shouldve came down to the pits before you left. only obvious where all the buicks were all at. Next time. How did brotha Alan like the show?